CFL lighting 40what?

[Weedgrodamus]

The forum seems to recommend 40w 6500k CFL's so a shopping I go.

I find 9w bulbs that are 40w equivalent (620 lumens) and 40w that are 150w equivalent (2800 lumens).

It seems that 5000 lumens per plant is recommended, which bulbs are best? Would the 150's burn the girls?

[PuravidaC]

150w CFL is what I use and can keep them within a couple of inches without issue.

[Weedgrodamus]

150w CFL is what I use and can keep them within a couple of inches without issue.

How many do you recommend per plant?

[9fingerleafs]

The minimum a plant needs to thrive is 15,000 lumens. And can take up to 75,000+ before it becomes too much light. Check my forum. I'm using six bulbs. Four 42 watt and two 63 watt for a total 280 watt and I'm right at the edge of. It having enough light. Forget the "equivalent" wattage cause its a direct comparison to incandescent bulbs and makes no sense for growing. Always take in consideration consumption watts. get yourself some more bulbs. I recommend 2700k cause you gonna flower 2 or 3 months and veg just a few weeks and it's important that you use all the light you can in every step of the grow. You'll use all the bulbs you have from veg to harvest. Regardless of the spectrum light= yield

[9fingerleafs]

Don't buy those humongous cfls. Its better to have five 40 watt than one 200watt. Besides with many bulbs you can spread the light.

[PuravidaC]

I only grow 1 plant at a time in a small grow box. I have a 4 way splitter with a reflector for overhead lighting with four 150w CFL's. I also have 3, 40 watt U shaped florescent tubes for side lighting. I got 5 quart mason jars full from last single grow.

[NebulaHaze]

When people are talking about CFLs, they're talking about the "true" watts not the "equivalent" watts. Like others have said it's good to have at least 150W total (true watts) worth of CFLs per plant by the time you get to the flowering stage. The 40W or 42W bulbs are a great size because they're bright but you can still spread them around. I wrote a little bit about how many (and what color/wattage) CFLs to get here if you're interested

[PuravidaC]

Nebula is correct. My "150"watt CFL's are rated at 42 watts each.

[Weedgrodamus]

Thanks everyone, lots of smaller bulbs, 15,000 to 75,000 lumens per plant, time to shop!

[Gordo41]

I had a small grow box 3' tall X 2; wide X 1.5 deep and i had 12, 24w 1750 LM CFLs in there and grew some of my best plants in there.

[Green75]

I just went out on Saturday and spent $120.00 on 40watt cfls. at menards for my new auto station. I got 14 of them.
that's not counting the fixtures and splitters....
I got four of them on her now and she is 11 day old auto lowrider 2...she looking good!!

I got seven of both color ....

it all adds up quick....geesh

[Green75]

I'm glad this thread came up....I'm the only one I know that is using cfls so I am new to this...way different than my photo tent light.....when should I add more lights...tomorrow I'm thinking...lol

[Green75]

I added two more this morning total 3 of each color...to much??

[PuravidaC]

I don't think you can have too much light with CFL. That is all I use because of need for stealth however I do struggle with heat even though CFL's are supposed to have a low heat footprint. Before I blame my heat issues on cfl bulbs I need to make a couple of tweaks before next grow and try again! 😆 I have been pleased with my two CFL grows!